Shoe News you can use….

The Midsole

Last time we talked about the outsole (see here and here if you missed it or need a review). Today we will focus on the midsole.

The Midsole, sandwiched between the outsole and the upper, provides torsional rigidity to a shoe. They can be single (uni) density (left picture) or multiple (middle picture).

Midsole material is very important, as it will accommodate to the load imposed on it from the person as well as any gear they may be carrying. It serves as the intermediary and transducer for load transfer between the ground and the person.Softer density material in the heel of the shoe, like in the blue lateral side of the shoe in the bottom picture, softens the forces acting at heel strike and is good for impact and shock absorption.

Because the midsole tranduces forces and provides torsional rigidity (picture on right). The stiffer the material, the more motion control it provides. Midsoles like the one in the center are made with materials of differing densities (white is softer, light grey more dense, dark gray, most dense) to absorb force and decrease the velocity of pronation during heel strike and mid stance, with a firmer material medially that protects against overpronation as you come through mid stance and go through toe off.

Wow. Shoe anatomy for the day. Knew this? Great! Lost? Want to know more? Download our Shoe Fit Certification program by clicking here. You can also email us for more information about becoming IFGEC certified in shoe fit: thegaitguys@gmail.com